Stephanie Li

ABC Sans

ABC Sans, a typeface whose name is derived from the acronym American-Born Chinese, is the first of my projects completed within my college career that is deeply personal. It addresses my discontent for the continual feeling of in-betweenness that comes with having a dual identity. For some, the font may create a sense of tension. It is neither “American enough” to use in everyday practicality nor “Asian enough” to make sense to audiences who come from mainland China. This creates a parallel with the communities that continue to treat their identities as something that requires discovery, negotiation, and retention. Chinese Americans are invited to download and engage with the typeface if they, too, still ask themselves “How Asian am I?” The mark making and content writing processes involved in creating ABC Sans has pushed me to confront my sense of secrecy and desire to remain quiet on topics surrounding race. By conveying the fear and uncertainty that comes with confronting these topics through both my own story and passion for design, I have discovered my own way of contributing to the discussion amid an increasingly diversifying American population.